Q: Do my child’s regular caregivers, like his grandparents or babysitter, automatically have the authority to care for him in an emergency?
–Prepared Papa
A: Dear Prepared,
No. Your child’s usual caregivers don’t automatically have the authority to make decisions for him if you’re unavailable. Whether you are unconscious in the hospital or have passed away, there’s a chance your child could be taken into protective custody by social services unless you’ve named short-term and long-term legal guardians for your child.